by Jim Gordon
HOPETOUN V BEULAH
Hopetoun had a very good win against near rivals Beulah at Hopetoun on Saturday. The win puts the Devils in second spot on the MFL ladder and puts the Blues on the back foot after their very good win against Ouyen United the week before.
There was nothing between these two sides all day. Hopetoun had the ascendency for most of the match, but Beulah was never far away. In fact in the frantic final term of high pressure football, the lead changed a number of times. A five goal to four final quarter was just enough to give the Devils the points.
Hopetoun lost Jackson Fisher before the match due to North Ballarat Rebels’ commitments, but both sides were able to field just about their best sides.
Deek Roberts was instrumental in Hopetoun’s win with five goals, but it is his work rate around the ground and Roberts’ ability to win centre clearances that are really making him a key member of the Devils’ outfit.
‘Mr Reliable’ Liam Price is having a great year for the Devils. His ability to win the contested ball across halfback, especially when the Blues were gaining momentum after half time, is a vitally important role for the Devils. Zac Robins continues to improve on the wing and he gave the Devils a lot of drive from his side of the ground.
One area in which the Blues were clearly on top was in the rucking duels. The Devils’ on going woes in the ruck were once again exposed, this time by Beulah’s big Steph Saunders who made the most of this deficiency in the Hopetoun line up. Quentin Willmott battled hard for the Devils and kicked one very important goal, but Saunders was clearly on top in the centre and dominated hitouts.
The Devils onballers were able to somewhat nullify Saunders’ influence by reading his tap outs mainly through Roberts and Price. Simon Cook took on David King and although King booted six for the match, Cook certainly made him earn every goal.
This was a great win for the Devils and should give them the belief that they can mix it with the best in the league. Once again four quarters of high pressure football was required to win the match and this time the Devils did not disappoint.
WALPEUP UNDERBOOL V OUYEN UNITED
In a surprising result for all but the most fanatical of Demon supporters, Ouyen United scored a stirring six point win over an inaccurate Walpeup Underbool at Underbool on Saturday. This result has far greater ramifications for United than for the previously undefeated Roos, as it once again opens up Ouyen United’s season and gives them the incentive to aim for a top four spot that would have been just about out of reach had they lost. For Walpeup Underbool it will be a reality check indicating that they will need to be on top of their game come finals time.
The game was a big turnaround for the Demons who put in a shocker the week before against the Blues. It was Ouyen United’s positive mindset from the opening bounce, their ability to put pressure on Walpeup United players for the whole game and their ferocious tackling that got the Demons over the line. The tackle count for the match was almost two to one in United’s favour.
With such a close final result, Ouyen United certainly did not have it all their own way. The final term was a tight and tense affair with United scoring the first and their final gaol early in the term and from then on the Roos fought and battled to get closer. Two late goals to Walpeup Underbool kept the large crowd on the edge of their seats right up until the final siren.
Troy Moncur’s best game for the year was crucial in Ouyen United getting first use of the ball out of the centre. His presence in the middle at centre bounces, his marking all around the ground and his ability to ruck all day gave United’s runners the edge in the middle.
Walpeup Underbool were without Travis Latta and Ryan Anderson for the game and Josh Charles not playing was a big loss for the Roos. It meant that Matt Palmer, who is having a great year, did most of the ruck work. Moncur linked particularly well with the dynamic John Jackson in the midfield. Jackson had another outstanding game for United.
Walpeup Underbool missed chances in front of goal in the first term. Four goals eight behinds was a poor return for having control of most of the play. This wasted opportunity would hurt the Roos in the latter stages of the game.
Walpeup Underbool’s Darren Latta was dominant on his wing in the first quarter. He ran, marked and kicked long to position and in the process took young Alex Morrish apart. At quarter time United moved Jordan Manley onto the dangerous Latta and moved Morrish onto the other wing. The result of this astute move was that Manley quietened Latta and Morrish not only got back into the game, but he was able to work well with the Demon midfield and was responsible for some potent attacking moves and scored one goal himself.
There were a lot of turnovers in the first half of this game. After half time Ouyen United came out firing and were having the better run of the play. Glenn Joyce and Jackson were dominant in the midfield and when the Roos did get the ball forward, mistakes were proving costly on the scoreboard. One bright spot for Walpeup Underbool was the form of Chris Chubb who proved to be a strong target across half forward for the Roos and one of their best players on the day.
In his first game this season for United, Todd Barker played a very good negative game on Wade Champion who was also just back from a long stint on the sidelines. Barker’s ability to play close, punch and generally harass Champion across half forward limited Walpeup Underbool’s supply into the forward line. Champion will be all the better for his first game back.
Other members of United’s backline also played well. Adam O’Callaghan spent a lot of time on David Piasente and although Piasente kicked two goals, O’Callaghan did well to limit his impact on the game as Piasente took United apart earlier in the year at Blackburn Park. Dean Jardine was another defender to play well.
SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS V WOOMELANG LASCELLES
This game was in the balance until three quarter time before Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers steadied, scored five goals to nil in the final term and shook off a determined Woomelang Lascelles at Berriwillock on Saturday.
The Cats got off to a good start and held a two and a half goal break at quarter time. Kane Bannam was dominant across half forward with his strong marking and he ended up with five goals for the day. Anthony Foott was getting a lot of the ball, Joel Donnan on Jarrod Arentz did well and Trent Donnan was also playing well. The Cats had made good use of the football early.
Luke Martin was on top in the ruck for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers, although his team mates seemed more intent on wasting opportunities by turning the ball over whether by hand or by foot. Targets were missed and chances went begging. The Cats were certainly applying a lot of pressure and should be given credit for their endeavour.
Gradually the Tigers got back into the game. Pressure from both sides was still causing turnovers around the ground, but the Tigers were only a couple of points down at half time.
The third term was a free flowing game with five goals to both teams after the Tigers had jumped out to a three goal lead early in the term. It was almost as if they then took their foot off the pedal as the Cats were allowed to work their way back into the game.
However, by the final quarter, the Cats looked like they had had enough, they slowed to a walk and allowed the Tigers to dominate play with another five goals for the term.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers midfielders Darcy Ryan and Col Durie began to win clearances from Martins’ good ruck work and they finally started to use the ball cleanly and spot up targets.
Matt Elliott also played well for Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers and Jarrod Arentz kicked four for the day, marking well in the last half of the game, but could have kicked more given the opportunities he had. Arentz ended up with five or six behinds for the day.
Stephen Lyons continued his good work in the backline for the Tigers. In the final term and after a long kick out of defence from Lyons, Nathan Wight ran onto a bouncing ball, steadied, passed to the leading Arentz and his subsequent goal summoned the final demise of the Cats.
Last Modified on 09/07/2012 20:47